Chapter One:

In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to spit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.

And speaking of comfort, Belladonna Baggins II was quite comfortable, thank you very much. Sitting on the bench in front of her garden after lots of time tending to said garden, smoking Old Toby from her beautifully hand carved wooden pipe that once belonged to her father. It was not a typical sight, seeing a lady of Bag End smoking, but frankly, Bella (that was what she preferred her friends and family to call her) didn't care. She deserved the luxury after all; cleaning every nook and cranny of her beloved smial, taking a trip to the market, which was much needed after the much welcome visit from her Took cousins who could eat more than an army of Rangers, and finally, tending to her beloved garden.

So as she sat there eyes closed and basking in the sunshine, blowing smoke rings, she was surprised to feel the warmth of the sun disappear as a shadow appeared above her. Opening her eyes, she came upon the tallest man she had ever seen, his large pointy hat making him more foreboding.

"Gandalf the Grey! Good morning!" She said cheerfully. It had been quite some time since she had seen her mothers good friend. She loved hearing the stories her mother would tell her of her adventures since coming of age. Her father loved hearing them too, it became a part of their nightly ritual to snuggle tightly on her childhood bed and hear her stories.

"What do you mean? Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or perhaps you feel good on this particular morning. Or are you simply stating that it is a morning to be good on?" He said.

"All of them at once, of course." she replied, knowing he was jesting. He gave a hearty laugh at her answer.

"Just like her mother, " he thought.

"Please, have a seat." she said, making space on the bench. "I know the walk through hobbiton never gets easier."

"I must agree." he grumbled, removing his hat as he took a seat beside her. "I've been traveling through here since Bullroarer Took was alive and I still have never quite become accustomed to how winding the way is."

Bella laughed lightly. "I understand. Even the Rangers get caught off guard. Now, what brings you all the way to my home, Gandalf."

He looked to her. "Can't an old wizard visit a dear friend who was the daughter of a dear friend?" he said offended. She just raised an eyebrow and said nothing. "Oh alright you! I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure with."

"Oh really?" she said, "And what would this someone be doing on this supposed adventure?"

"I'm in need of a burglar." he spoke bluntly and to the point.

"Well, it's been a while since I've picked pockets. Will I have enough time to rehabilitate that skill on this adventure if I decide to go along?'

"Of course. The journey will be quite a long ones so if you do decide to come, I would take the time to get your affairs in order." He told her honestly.

"And how many would I be accompanying if I do decide to go through with this long journey?" Bella wanted to know was many preliminary details about this journey. It was a wise thing to do, but she couldn't not deny the already burning desire top join this adventure.

All those stories she grew up hearing were amazing, but she so desired to have an adventure of her own. Her entire childhood spend yearning for treks among foreign terrain, seeing men, elves, dwarves, maybe even seeing if the Ents were real! Oh to be a hobbit and meeting an Ent. Wouldn't that be a feat.

"This journey consists of 13 dwarves, myself, and who I hope to be you. The dwarves have been searching high and low not only for their burglar, but also to stand in as the 14th member of the company." He stated to her.

"Oh, and understandably so, 13 is after all an unlucky number amongst dwarrows." She said matter of factly. Gandalf turned to the hobbit lady surprised. "What? I paid attention to my mothers stories. 'Every story is a lesson', she told me. And I for one live by that saying." She told him with huff, pouting slightly when he stated to laugh. "I would like to meet them. When should I expect them?" She asked him, being the ever so gracious host her parents taught her to be.

While polar opposites in personality and desire for either adventure or comfort, her parents never failed to teach how to be a proper hobbit lady. How to clean, cook, sweet, knit, crochet, tat, bake, everything; her father even taught her to manage their household finances and numbers. Unheard of amongst hobbit folk, that sort of work was usually left to a male heir. But Bungo Baggins (that's her fathers name) never cared for the gender of their child unlike his family who tried to push him to have male child, oh no sir. He just wanted a little fauntling to love and care for, to pass on family recipes, to teach the small and larger things in life. His wife was his greatest treasure, and his child his most beloved creation on this good green Middle Earth.

"They'll be here tonight. And it'll be good for you, and most amusing for me!" Gandalf said jovially. She began to sputter and cough up smoke, for she had taken a breath from her pipe while awaiting his answer.

"Tonight? Tonight?! Oh you meddling old coot, the groceries I purchased today will not even fill one dwarves mouth! Oh dear, I have to run off to the market once more! Bebother and confusticate this wizard!" She quickly began to sprint up the stairs to her large green emerald door, twisting open the golden handle in a haste, almost tripping. "I will see you all tonight! I'll make sure to have everything ready!" She peaked her head back out the door. "Good morning!" And she finally slammed her door shut.

Gandalf chuckled to himself. "Just like her mother." He stepped over to the door, and using the nail at the foot of his tall staff, drew a peculiar rune at the bottom of the door. Once he was satisfied with it, he walked down the steps and turned back to the tree, seeing Bella's beloved companion napping at the base, unaware of what just happened. "I only hope they won't cause a riot." He muttered, before walking down the path to inform the dwarves company of their potential 14th member.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Now who do you supposed Gandalf is talking about. And why would it cause a riot? You will have to find out for yourself.